Wireless Signal Synchronization via User Equipment Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and other multi-access technologies, face challenges in maintaining synchronization between base stations, leading to delays and misalignments that degrade signal performance and interfere with joint processing and beamforming applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that measure and report synchronization parameters, such as time and frequency offsets, between base stations, allowing for adjustments to transmission waveforms to align signals and improve synchronization, thereby enhancing signal reception and joint processing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If base stations transmit signals independently without synchronization coordination, then each base station can operate autonomously, but signal alignment and synchronization between base stations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidsignal alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where user equipment measures synchronization parameters (time and frequency offsets) between base station signals and reports these measurements to the base stations. The base stations use this feedback information to adjust their transmission waveforms, thereby maintaining signal alignment while allowing autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having base stations pre-adjust their transmission waveforms based on reported synchronization parameters. The base station determines an offset in the synchronization parameter and adjusts the transmission waveform in advance to compensate for synchronization issues, ensuring proper signal alignment before transmission occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If base stations transmit signals with high power to improve coverage, then signal strength increases, but interference between base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of interference into a beneficial outcome by using the same signal measurements that detect interference problems to enable coordination between base stations. User equipment measures synchronization parameters that reveal interference conditions, and this information is used to adjust transmission waveforms to reduce interference while maintaining coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces user equipment as an intermediary that measures synchronization parameters between base station signals and reports these measurements to the base stations. This intermediary role enables indirect coordination between base stations, allowing them to adjust their transmissions to reduce interference while maintaining autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If synchronization parameters are measured and reported between base stations, then signal alignment improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal alignmentVSAvoidsynchronization measurement and reporting
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having user equipment autonomously measure synchronization parameters between base station signals and generate reports without requiring complex centralized coordination infrastructure. The user equipment itself performs the measurement and reporting functions, reducing the need for additional network infrastructure and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2433450B1Systems and methods for joint processing in a wireless communication
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2433450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2433450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2433450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which signals are received from a plurality of base stations, and a measurement is made of synchronization parameters between the plurality of base stations at a user equipment. A signal is transmitted from the user equipment to at least one of the plurality of base stations with information about the synchronization parameters. The base station determines an offset in the received synchronizations and adjusts a transmission waveform based on the determined offset.